Tööraamatud

Tööraamatud, often translated as workbooks or employment record books, are a type of official document historically used in Estonia and other countries to record an individual's employment history. They served as a comprehensive ledger detailing a person's professional life, including details of employers, positions held, dates of employment, and sometimes even performance evaluations or reasons for termination.

The primary purpose of a tööraamat was to provide verifiable proof of work experience, which was crucial for various administrative purposes. This included applying for pensions, claiming social benefits, or securing new employment. Employers were legally obligated to accurately fill out and update the tööraamat for each employee. The document often contained sections for personal information, education, and any professional qualifications or certifications obtained.

In Estonia, the system of traditional paper tööraamatud has largely been replaced by digital solutions. The Estonian Social Security Board now maintains electronic employment records, which serve a similar function but are integrated into a modern digital infrastructure. While the physical tööraamat is no longer the primary record-keeping tool, its historical significance lies in its role as a fundamental document for labor relations and social security administration for many decades. The concept of a centralized record of employment, however, persists in its digital form.